Case Study

Cuban Missile Crisis

Cuba

Cuba

Really old background info…

Late 19thC Spanish colonies in America were seeking independence

1898- Spanish-American civil warUS became ruling power in CubaUS agreed to leave but only if Cuba

accepted conditions of Platt Amendment (1901)

Platt Amendment

Cuba could not transfer territory to anyone other than US

US had the right to intervene in Cuban affairs for the sake of “Cuban Independence”

Another Historical Document

Munroe Agreement 1823President James Munroe

“any attempt by a European power to control any nation in the western hemisphere would be considered as a hostile act towards the US”

Background

1901-1950sRuled by pro-American Fulgencio BatistaRuled by small group of rich and powerful

(mostly foreign, especially US)Vast majority- peasantry

Cuba under Batista

Cuba as “America’s Playground”Investments in sugar,

ENTERTAINMENTExamples:

Dirty Dancing: Havana NightsGodfather

Cuban Revolution*

1959- Fidel Castro led forces in revolution (aided by Che

Guevara)

Goal: overthrow Batista

-fought via guerrilla warfare

-supported by peasants

Castro’s Reforms

1959-1960: Nationalizes previously owned US sugar estates and cattle ranches

Planned to redistribute Cuban wealthBegan promoting anti-American

sentiments****Cubans who oppose Castro flee to

US

Problems

1960- Castro signs treaty with USSR (does not formally declare communist)

Castro nationalized oil refineries (America had refused to refine Soviet crude oil)

US refuses to sell military hardware to Cubans

Castro goes to USSR for assistance

1961- Eisenhower ends diplomatic relations with Cuba

During the Revolution

Cubans fled to USRefugees thought stay in US temporary

and would return to Cuba once Castro fell

Eisenhower invested $ to help Cubans plan a counter-revolution

Operation Pluto

Eisenhower trained 1500 Cubans to attack Cuba with assistance of CIA

Thought if they attacked, would spark a popular revolution and others would join

While this is happening…

Cuba’s relationship with USSR growing, Castro formally declares he’s a communist in 1961

1961- Kennedy takes over from Eisenhower

Bay of Pigs

Planned attack on Cuba by Cuban refugees

April 10, 1961Lasted 3 daysPoorly equipped, poorly plannedDid not receive promised air support

from America

Why didn’t Kennedy send support?

Wanted to claim “plausible deniability”Did not want to get directly involved

Mini-Assignment

To be completed and handed in by the end of class

From what you just learned about Cuba

PREDICT: 1. what will Castro do next and why?2. What will Kennedy do next and why?

What will Kennedy use to justify this?

Cuban Missile Crisis

After Bay of Pigs: Castro approaches Khrushchev for more weapons (p. 68)

February 1962- America launches an economic embargo against CubaWon’t trade with them, high taxes on those

that do

What’s Happening

1- Changes to Guantanamo

2- Cuba obtains weapons

Guantanamo Bay

American naval base since 1903 (American-Cuban Treaty gave perpetual lease)

Cuban government opposes baseOnce Castro in power: refuses to cash

rental cheques

Guantanamo continued…

Oct 22, 1962- military families evacuatedUS troops placed 75 000 landmines to

protect area (1996- Clinton replaces with motion sensors)

Cuba Obtains Weapons

June 17-October 22 1962: USSR transfers 24 launching pads, rockets, 45 nuclear warheads, bombers, aircraft, and 47000 troops Cuba denies YouTube

- Kennedy addresses the nation on the Cuban Missile Crisis

What action will Kennedy take? What will become the policy of the US regarding the

Cubans launching a missile?

Result of Tension:

America puts up “Quarantine” of CubaTo stop weapons from entering CubaLasts 13 daysReferred to as “October Crisis”

Crisis Ends

After tense negotiations it was decided between Khrushchev and Kennedy:USSR would remove troops and weaponsUS would remove missiles from Turkey